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Arctic blast grips the state

Marion A. Walker
Published 8:51 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2015

A tower of snow stands in the foreground of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan billboard promoting the state’s child health insurance program and showing a zero-degree temperature in Detroit. Michigan was gripped by a deep Arctic weather system, with low temperatures dropping to minus 27 at Newberry in the Upper Peninsula and minus 7 at Detroit.(Photo: AP)

Meteorologist Matt Mosteiko, of the National Weather Service’s White Lake Township office, said temperatures will stay well below normal — low 30s for this time of year — for the rest of the week.

“The next couple of days, it’s going to be clear — and cold,” he said. “We’re supposed to get a little snow, maybe Tuesday, but there’s no real big storms. Just short bursts.”

In the meantime, warming centers are open through metro Detroit for folks venturing out or just in need of a spot to heat up.

The Troy Community Center has areas specifically for those needing to warm up. Building manager Summer Gleason said the community center is open seven days a week, but she saw a slow trickle of new faces Sunday seeking a brief respite from the cold.

“We’re used to seeing a lot of people,” Gleason said.

The chill has not affected travel, said Lt. Nate McQueen of the Michigan State Police. Still, he said, anybody venturing out is urged to be prepared.

“If you’re going to come out, make sure your cell is charged, and you have supplies,” he said. “The sun is out now, which is helping with melting snow. Because of that, the roads are better now than they will be at night.”

Law enforcement officials from across metro Detroit suggested throwing a blanket in the backseat in case of emergencies, and maybe keeping a spare battery for the cell phone. Nonperishable foods and bottle water may come in handy, too.